Author name: Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Tuesday agreed to comprehensively review and expand the Indonesia-Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (IP-PTA), a $4 billion framework in force since 2012, to eliminate the existing trade imbalance that currently favours Jakarta and unlock fresh bilateral trade potential.The leaders directed their commerce ministries to immediately begin negotiations to broaden product coverage, adjust tariff concessions, and incorporate emerging sectors, particularly halal-certified food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, agriculture, and information technology. Both countries, home to two of the world’s largest Muslim populations, see the halal industry as a multi-billion-dollar opportunity. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/pakistan-indonesia-mark-75-years-of-diplomacy-with-prabowos-historic-visit/ During wide-ranging talks at the Prime Minister’s Office marking 75 years of diplomatic ties, the two sides also committed to deepen investment cooperation. President Widodo offered collaboration between Indonesia’s new sovereign wealth fund Danantara and Pakistan’s Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), with priority sectors including health, education, vocational training, and infrastructure.Defence and security cooperation, people-to-people contacts, and academic exchanges were also high on the agenda, with both leaders pledging to elevate the relationship to a strategic level.On regional issues, Prime Minister Sharif and President Widodo reiterated unwavering support for the Palestinian cause and a just resolution of the Jammu & Kashmir dispute in line with UN Security Council resolutions. Sharif appreciated Indonesia’s proactive diplomacy and humanitarian assistance in Gaza.Trade between Pakistan and Indonesia has grown steadily under the IP-PTA, but Pakistan’s exports remain significantly lower. Officials said the revised agreement is expected to provide greater market access for Pakistani textiles, rice, fruits, sports goods, and surgical instruments, while Indonesia seeks easier entry for palm oil derivatives, paper products, and machinery.A joint statement issued after the meeting described the visit as a “milestone” in transforming the historic fraternal ties into a robust economic partnership. President Widodo extended an invitation to Prime Minister Sharif to visit Indonesia next year.

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) closed at a historic high on Tuesday, with the KSE-100 Index finishing at 169,456.39 points, continuing its strong upward momentum. The benchmark index reached an intraday peak of 169,601.04 points, reflecting strong investor optimism following significant financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF’s $1.2 Billion Disbursement Drives Market Sentiment: Market confidence surged after the IMF confirmed a fresh $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan. The funding comes through: • The 37-month Extended Fund Facility (EFF)• The Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF) This approval strengthened the bullish outlook across all major sectors of the PSX, attracting both institutional and retail investors. Market Performance Summary: Key index movements for the day: • KSE-100 Index: Closed at 169,456 (+1,153 points / +0.69%)• KSE-30 Index: Closed at 51,541 (+373 points / +0.73%)• KMI-30 Index: Closed at 243,807 (+1,624 points / +0.67%)• All-Share Index: Closed at 102,478 (+679 points / +0.67%) The KSE-100 also achieved its 52-week high today. Total market turnover reached 1.02 billion shares, significantly higher than the previous session’s 683 million shares. The total traded value stood at Rs. 36.2 billion. Most Active Stocks by Volume: The highest volumes of the day came from:• K-Electric (KEL): 86.7 million shares• BankIslami (BNL): 60.2 million shares• PIA Holding Company (PIAHCLA): 41.1 million shares• Bank of Punjab (BOP): 36.7 million shares• Bank Alfalah (BML): 33.1 million sharesThese stocks drove a large part of today’s market liquidity. Top Gainers of the Day: Leading advancers showed strong double-digit gains:• TPL Corp: +12.84%• QUICE Foods: +12.74%• Soneri Bank (SNBL): +10.02%• SNAI: +10.01%• Sui Gas Pipelines (SGPL): +10.01%Small- and mid-cap stocks outperformed, reflecting aggressive buying interest. Top Decliners of the Session: A few stocks ended in negative territory:• SPLNC: -10.00%• TCORPCPS: -10.00%• NSRM: -8.00%• BFMOD: -7.83%• UVIDC: -7.82%These declines were mainly due to profit-taking. Sector-wise Performance: Sectors with the highest trading activity included:• Technology: 148.9 million shares• Power: 126 million shares• Food: 115 million shares• Banks: 93 million shares• Investment & Brokerage: 90 million shares Technology once again dominated volumes and contributed significantly to the overall market strength. Market Outlook: Analysts believe the bullish momentum is likely to continue in the coming sessions due to: • Strengthened foreign reserves after IMF inflows• Improved macroeconomic sentiment• Increased confidence from local and international investors• High liquidity flowing into equities The market’s next resistance zone is expected above 170,000 points, while strong support is visible around 167,500 points. The PSX delivered one of its strongest sessions of the year, closing at a historic high powered by IMF-driven optimism and broad-based sectoral interest. With rising trading volumes, positive economic signals, and improved investor sentiment, the Pakistan Stock Exchange appears set for continued upward momentum.

KARACHI: Dubai International Chamber, one of the three chambers operating under the umbrella of Dubai Chambers, has officially launched a new international representative office in Karachi, with the goal of strengthening bilateral trade and investments between Pakistan and Dubai. The opening of the chamber’s new office comes as part of the ‘Dubai Global’ initiative, which seeks to establish 50 representative offices around the world by 2030. The initiative is designed to strengthen Dubai’s position as a leading global business hub by attracting foreign direct investment and supporting the international expansion of local companies into 30 priority markets around the world. The office was inaugurated during a ceremony held in Karachi in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Bakheet Ateeq Alremeithi, Consul General of the United Arab Emirates in Karachi, together with officials and representatives from the Pakistani business community. His Excellency Mohammad Ali Rashed Lootah, President and CEO of Dubai Chambers, stated: “The inauguration of our new office marks a strategic step that reflects our firm commitment to strengthening the robust economic partnership between Dubai and Pakistan. We aim to broaden the scope of bilateral cooperation between our business communities and advance our vision to create new paths for the flow of trade and investments. This will help drive mutual growth and enhance the ability of Pakistani companies to capitalise on emerging opportunities in Dubai.” The inauguration comes at a time of notable growth in business relations between the two markets. Pakistan’s non-oil trade with Dubai reached over PKR 1.74 trillion in 2024. Between early 2022 and end of Q3 2025, the number of Pakistani companies registered as active members of Dubai Chamber of Commerce increased by 161% to reach 33,110. A total of 6,850 new Pakistani companies joined the chamber during the first nine months of 2025 alone. The new office will play a vital role in supporting companies in both Pakistan and Dubai. It will work closely with the Pakistani business community to strengthen relationships with key public and private sector stakeholders, while showcasing Dubai’s competitive advantages as a leading global business destination. The office will also provide valuable market intelligence to help Pakistani companies establish a presence in Dubai and use the emirate as a platform for international growth. In addition, the office will support Dubai-based companies seeking to expand into Pakistan by offering expert insights into the local market, helping them identify commercial and investment opportunities, and connecting them with trusted local partners to ensure a smooth and confident entry into the market and the successful expansion of their operations.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has issued a strong alert to the public as fraudulent online trading platforms intensify their operations across the country. These scams are using fake dashboards, fabricated profit records, and impersonated identities to deceive unsuspecting investors into depositing money. According to SECP’s latest press release, a growing number of unlicensed websites, mobile apps, and social media–based investment schemes are actively promoting claims of guaranteed, risk-free returns in stocks, commodities, and international markets, promises that no legitimate financial institution makes. How Scammers Operate: Fake Apps, False Profits, and Identity Theft: SECP highlighted that many of these illegal platforms are designed to closely imitate legitimate trading interfaces, creating an illusion of authenticity. Common tactics include: • Allowing users to make small initial withdrawals to build trust• Displaying fake profit charts and fabricated trading activity• Blocking access to funds once larger deposits are made• Using stolen identities of licensed brokers, financial institutions, government officials, and market experts• Pretending to offer free advisory or trading tips before redirecting users to unauthorized links These tactics have contributed to a surge in online trading scams, particularly targeting first-time investors and inexperienced traders. Only SECP-Licensed Brokers Are Authorized for Trading: The regulator emphasized that all securities and commodities trading in Pakistan must be conducted through SECP-licensed brokers only. To help investors verify legitimacy, SECP advised checking the official lists of authorized brokers available at: • SECP’s official website• Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX)• Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) Any platform operating without a license, whether a website, mobile app, or social media page is illegal and poses serious financial risks. Public Advisory: Do Not Share Personal or Financial Information: SECP urged investors to remain vigilant and avoid transferring money to any individual or platform that cannot be verified through official channels. The regulator further warned that sharing personal data, CNIC details, bank information, or mobile numbers with unknown online sources can lead to: • Identity theft• Data breaches• Unauthorized financial transactions• Significant monetary losses A Growing Threat to Retail Investors: With Pakistan seeing rising interest in online trading and digital investment tools, scammers are increasingly exploiting social media platforms, messaging apps, and fake websites to target the public. SECP’s latest warning aims to protect retail investors and encourage safe, regulated participation in the capital markets.

Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited (PSX: PABC) has announced a major strategic investment aimed at expanding its footprint beyond packaging and into Pakistan’s fast-growing corporate farming sector. The company has approved the acquisition of 60% of the units of Alfalah Agri-Cultivation Fund–I from its associate company, Liberty Mills Limited, for Rs 621 million, according to a filing submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) today. PABC Enters Agri-Tech and Corporate Farming Through Major Fund Acquisition: The Alfalah Agri-Cultivation Fund–I is a private equity fund focused on modern, mechanized, and sustainable agricultural initiatives in Pakistan. The fund’s investments include Terra Crop Innovations (Pvt) Ltd, a large-scale farming project based in the Cholistan Desert. According to PABC, this strategic move aligns with national priorities and is expected to support: • Enhanced food security• Increased agricultural exports• Import substitution through local production• Development of high-tech, climate-resilient farming The acquisition is part of PABC’s broader plan to diversify and tap into high-potential sectors connected to Pakistan’s long-term economic growth. Transaction Timeline and Corporate Approvals: PABC stated that the acquisition will be completed after fulfilling all customary legal and regulatory requirements. The Board of Directors has authorized company officials to undertake the necessary procedures to execute the transaction. This marks a continuation of the company’s strategy to expand and secure new revenue streams beyond its core beverage can business. Earlier Announcement: New Beverage Can Manufacturing Facility in Afghanistan: This development follows PABC’s earlier disclosure on 30 October 2025, when the company announced Board approval to establish a new beverage can manufacturing plant in Afghanistan. Key project details include:• Production capacity: 1.3 billion cans annually• Estimated capital expenditure: $110 million• Status: Subject to regulatory and customary approvals The Afghanistan facility is expected to enhance PABC’s regional presence, support export growth, and strengthen supply chain resilience. A Strategic Roadmap for Regional Growth and Diversification: These back-to-back decisions highlight PABC’s ongoing commitment to expanding its operational portfolio, diversifying investments, and strengthening long-term business sustainability. By entering the corporate farming sector while simultaneously exploring international manufacturing opportunities, Pakistan Aluminium Beverage Cans Limited is positioning itself for multi-sector growth across South Asia.

Karachi: Gold prices in Pakistan recorded a notable decline, even as the international market saw a mild upward movement. According to the latest data released by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewelers Sarafa Association (APGJSA), the domestic bullion market reflected downward pressure amid mixed global cues. Gold Price in Pakistan Falls by Rs1,900 per Tola: The price of 24-karat gold dropped by Rs1,900, bringing the new rate to: • Rs441,862 per tola• Rs378,825 per 10 grams (down by Rs1,629) Similarly, 22-karat gold was quoted lower at Rs347,268 per 10 grams, reflecting the broader decline across the domestic gold market. Silver Prices Steady in the Local Market: Unlike gold, the price of silver remained unchanged nationwide. The latest rates are: • 24-karat silver: Rs6,102 per tola• Per 10 grams: Rs5,231 The stability in silver prices indicates a balanced local demand, despite fluctuations in global precious metals. Global Gold Price Shows Slight Uptrend: In the international market, spot gold traded around $4,207 per ounce, reflecting a $12.8 increase (0.31%) from the previous session. Analysts attribute this modest rise to expectations that the U.S. Federal Reserve may adopt a more cautious approach toward monetary easing during its ongoing two-day policy meeting. Global investors are closely watching interest rate signals, which typically influence gold’s attractiveness as a safe-haven asset. Market Outlook: What’s Next for Gold Prices? • Domestic gold prices may continue to fluctuate depending on USD-PKR exchange rates, import costs, and global monetary policy trends.• Internationally, gold could see additional volatility as traders assess the Federal Reserve’s stance on future rate cuts.• Stability in silver suggests a more measured market response compared to gold’s sharp movements.